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{{Short description|Manufacturer of solar mounting equipment}} |
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{{Infobox company |
{{Infobox company |
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| name |
| name = Zep Solar |
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| logo |
| logo = Zep Solar logo.png |
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| industry = [[Photovoltaics]] |
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| founded = {{Start date|2009}} |
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| founders = {{Unbulleted list |
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| image = |
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| Jack West |
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| image_size = |
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| Daniel Flanigan |
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| Christina Manansala |
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}} |
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| fate = Acquired by [[Tesla, Inc.]] |
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| native_name_lang = <!-- Use ISO 639-1 code, e.g. "fr" for French. For multiple names in different languages, use {{lang|[code]|[name]}}. --> |
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| successor = [[Tesla Energy]] |
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| homepage = [https://web.archive.org/*/http://www.zepsolar.com/ zepsolar.com] (defunct) |
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| founded = {{start date|2009||}} <!-- in [[city]], [[country]] --> |
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| founders = [[Jack West (inventor)|Jack West]], Daniel Flanigan, and Christina Manansala |
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| num_employees_year = <!-- Year of num_employees data (when known) --> |
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| parent = [[SolarCity]] |
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| website = {{URL|zepsolar.com}} |
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}} |
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'''Zep Solar''' |
'''Zep Solar''' was a manufacturer of mounting and grounding equipment for [[Photovoltaic system|photovoltaic solar energy generation systems]]. The company was founded in 2009 in [[San Rafael, California]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 11, 2013 |title=Zep Solar, Inc.: Private Company Information |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=113979624 |access-date=May 29, 2016 |publisher=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> In 2013, Zep Solar was acquired by [[SolarCity]], which was, at the time, the largest solar power installer in the United States. Zep Solar operated as an independent business unit until SolarCity was acquired by [[Tesla, Inc.]] in 2016, at which time Zep Solar was merged into the company's [[Tesla Energy]] subsidiary. |
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Since the merger, Tesla Energy has continued to manufacture many of the Zep Solar products for use on its projects but does not sell the equipment to other installers. |
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Zep Solar is best known for inventing a "railless" system that allows PV installers to install solar panels on the roof more quickly than other installation approaches.<ref name="greentechmedia1">{{cite web|author=Eric Wesoff |url=http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/SolarCity-Aims-Zep-Solar-Technology-at-Commercial-Solar-Rooftops |title=SolarCity Aims Zep Solar Technology at Commercial Rooftops |publisher=Greentech Media |date=2014-09-16 |accessdate=2016-05-29}}</ref> Traditionally, solar panel installation had required workers to first outfit roofs with mounting rails and then attach solar panels to those rails. Zep Solar's technology allows installers to mount solar panels without rails on many roof types.<ref name="greentechmedia2">{{cite web|author=Herman K. Trabish |url=http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/zep-solars-installation-hardware-goes-rail-free |title=Zep Solar's Installation Hardware Goes Rail-Free |publisher=Greentech Media |date=2013-05-22 |accessdate=2016-05-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/the-death-of-rails |title=Will Railed Solar Racking Systems Soon Be Obsolete in the Residential Sector? |publisher=Greentech Media |date=2015-04-13 |accessdate=2016-05-29}}</ref> |
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Zep Solar is best known for its "rail-less" system that allows solar panels to be installed on the roof more quickly than other approaches. Traditionally, solar panel installation had required workers to first outfit roofs with mounting rails and then attach solar panels to those rails. Zep Solar's technology allows installers to mount solar panels without rails on many roof types. |
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== History == |
== History == |
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Zep Solar was founded in 2009 by photovoltaic systems engineer Jack West, Christina Manansala, with whom West co-founded High Sun Engineering in 2000, and contractor Daniel Flanigan.<ref name="ZEPHYR">{{Cite web |date=October 9, 2013 |title=SolarCity hopes to shine with Zep |url=https://zephyr.bvdinfo.com/version-201593/FullEditorialNews.serv?databaseContext=Deals&NewsId=15489&product=zephyrneo |access-date=May 29, 2016 |publisher=Zephyr.bvdinfo.com}}</ref> The trio invented a system that allowed solar panels to be installed without using rails, the long aluminum beams that had typically run underneath rooftop-mounted arrays to support the panels. Rails add material and manufacturing costs and their bulk and weight add additional inefficiencies and expenses.<ref name="Harris 2015">{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Glenn |date=April 13, 2015 |title=Will Railed Solar Racking Systems Soon Be Obsolete in the Residential Sector? |url=https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/the-death-of-rails |access-date=August 9, 2021 |website=Greentech Media}}</ref> |
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Instead, Zep Solar would use the inherent strength of the solar panels along with a special frame with a built-in channel called a "Zep Groove."<ref name="greentechmedia2">{{Cite web |last=Trabish |first=Herman K. |date=May 22, 2013 |title=Zep Solar's Installation Hardware Goes Rail-Free |url=http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/zep-solars-installation-hardware-goes-rail-free |access-date=May 29, 2016 |publisher=Greentech Media}}</ref> Zep Solar system components would snap into the Zep Groove and would allow panels to be interlocked with neighboring panels using specialized couplings. The result was a fully [[Ground (electricity)|grounded]], rigid structural grid at a lower cost than using rails.<ref name="ZEPHYR" /><ref name="greentechmedia1">{{Cite web |last=Wesoff |first=Eric |date=September 16, 2014 |title=SolarCity Aims Zep Solar Technology at Commercial Rooftops |url=http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/SolarCity-Aims-Zep-Solar-Technology-at-Commercial-Solar-Rooftops |access-date=May 29, 2016 |publisher=Greentech Media}}</ref> |
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Jack West, President & CTO of Zep Solar, was inspired as a college student to end reliance on fossil fuels and then subsequently worked from 1990 to 2009 as a solar engineer designing and installing PV systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://67.192.213.85/2013/Public/SpeakerDetails.aspx?FromPage%3DCalendar.aspx+%26ContactID%3D7684 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=August 26, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306172045/http://67.192.213.85/2013/Public/SpeakerDetails.aspx?FromPage=Calendar.aspx%20&ContactID=7684 |archivedate=March 6, 2016 }}</ref> West founded Zep Solar in 2009, along with Daniel Flanigan and Christina Manansala.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zephyr.bvdinfo.com/version-201593/FullEditorialNews.serv?databaseContext=Deals&NewsId=15489&product=zephyrneo |title=ZEPHYR - Bureau van Dijk |publisher=Zephyr.bvdinfo.com |date=2013-10-09 |accessdate=2016-05-29}}</ref> |
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In 2010, Zep Solar was recognized as a top ten finalist for solar innovation by the Intersolar Award Panel at Intersolar Europe<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/view/21401/movers-and-shakers-10-companies-to-watch-in-the-solar-space/ |title=Movers and shakers: 10 companies to watch in the solar space |publisher=Renewable Energy Focus |date=2011-10-21 |accessdate=2016-05-29}}</ref> In September 2011, as part of the SunShot Initiative BOS-X: Extreme Balance of System Hardware Cost Reduction funding opportunity, Zep Solar was awarded a grant to develop mounting technology for the commercial and utility-scale markets.<ref>http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2014/01/f7/52480.pdf</ref> |
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== Products == |
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Zep Solar licenses the design of its grooved frame to solar manufacturers for incorporation into solar panels, then manufactures hardware that allows the panels to be installed on a roof.<ref>{{cite web|author=Eric Wesoff |url=http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/SolarCity-Acquires-Zep-Solar-For-158-Million |title=SolarCity Acquires Zep Solar for $158 Million |publisher=Greentech Media |date=2013-10-09 |accessdate=2016-05-29}}</ref> Solar panels that include a Zep Solar frame are referred to as Zep Compatible™ PV modules.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://solarprofessional.com/articles/products-equipment/product-launches/canadian-solar-introduces-zep-compatible-modules |title=Canadian Solar Introduces Zep-Compatible Modules | SolarPro Magazine |publisher=Solarprofessional.com |date= |accessdate=2016-05-29}}</ref> Zep licenses its technology to a range of manufacturers that include [[Trina Solar]], [[Canadian Solar]], [[Yingli Solar]], [[JA Solar]], [[Sharp Solar]], and others.<ref name="greentechmedia2"/> |
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=== Commercial === |
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While Zep Solar was the manufacturer of most system components, they relied on photovoltaic manufacturers to build the Zep Groove into solar panels. The company signed licensing agreements with several manufacturers including [[Canadian Solar]], [[JA Solar]], [[Sharp Solar]], [[Trina Solar]] and [[Yingli Solar]].<ref name="greentechmedia2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Canadian Solar Introduces Zep-Compatible Modules |url=http://solarprofessional.com/articles/products-equipment/product-launches/canadian-solar-introduces-zep-compatible-modules |access-date=May 29, 2016 |website=SolarPro Magazine}}</ref> Zep Solar also sold its system components through a network of distributors.<ref name="ZEPHYR" /> |
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ZS Peak is a mounting system for commercial flat roofs that provides snap-together hardware and an east-west layout configuration that can increase the total number of solar panels on the roof when compared to a south-facing layout.<ref name="greentechmedia1"/> |
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By 2012, the Zep Solar installation system was being used by SolarCity and [[Vivint Solar]], the two largest solar installers in the United States. At the time SolarCity said that using the Zep Solar hardware allowed them to reduce installation timelines from two or three days down to a single day.<ref name="ZEPHYR" /> |
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ZS Beam uses a clamp for connecting solar panels to carports from below, rather than above.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pv-tech.org/news/us_carport_market_targeted_by_solarcity_with_new_mounting_product |title=SolarCity targets US carport market with new mounting product |publisher=PV-Tech |date=2014-10-29 |accessdate=2016-05-29}}</ref> |
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In October 2013, SolarCity announced that it would acquire Zep Solar for US$158 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wesoff |first=Eric |date=October 9, 2013 |title=SolarCity Acquires Zep Solar for $158 Million |url=http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/SolarCity-Acquires-Zep-Solar-For-158-Million/ |access-date=May 29, 2016 |publisher=Greentech Media}}</ref> Zep Solar would operate as an independent business unit of SolarCity and would continue to sell its equipment to other installers. |
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=== Residential === |
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In November 2016, SolarCity was acquired by [[Tesla, Inc.]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Etherington |first=Darrell |date=November 21, 2016 |title=Tesla officially acquires SolarCity |url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2016/11/21/tesla-officially-acquires-solarcity/ |access-date=August 9, 2021 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref> at which time Zep Solar was merged into the company's [[Tesla Energy]] subsidiary. Since the merger, Tesla Energy has continued to manufacture many of the Zep Solar products for use on its projects but does not sell the equipment to other installers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lant |first=Karla |date=April 10, 2017 |title=Tesla Just Unveiled Its Newest Solar Panels |url=https://futurism.com/tesla-just-unveiled-their-newest-solar-panels |access-date=August 9, 2021 |website=Futurism}}</ref> |
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Zep Solar offers products for residential PV applications: ZS Comp, for composition-shingle roofs, and ZS Tile and ZS Span for tile roof applications.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zepsolar.com/datasheets |title=DATASHEETS â€" Zep Solar |publisher=Zepsolar.com |date= |accessdate=2016-05-29}}</ref> |
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==References== |
== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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[[Category:Solar energy companies of the United States]] |
[[Category:Solar energy companies of the United States]] |
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[[Category:Companies based in Marin County, California]] |
[[Category:Companies based in Marin County, California]] |
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[[Category:2009 establishments in California]] |
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 | |
| Industry | Photovoltaics |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 (2009) |
| Founders |
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| Defunct | November 21, 2016 (2016-11-21) |
| Fate | Acquired by Tesla, Inc. |
| Successor | Tesla Energy |
| Headquarters | , |
| Website | zepsolar.com (defunct) |
Zep Solar was a manufacturer of mounting and grounding equipment for photovoltaic solar energy generation systems. The company was founded in 2009 in San Rafael, California.[1] In 2013, Zep Solar was acquired by SolarCity, which was, at the time, the largest solar power installer in the United States. Zep Solar operated as an independent business unit until SolarCity was acquired by Tesla, Inc. in 2016, at which time Zep Solar was merged into the company's Tesla Energy subsidiary.
Since the merger, Tesla Energy has continued to manufacture many of the Zep Solar products for use on its projects but does not sell the equipment to other installers.
Zep Solar is best known for its "rail-less" system that allows solar panels to be installed on the roof more quickly than other approaches. Traditionally, solar panel installation had required workers to first outfit roofs with mounting rails and then attach solar panels to those rails. Zep Solar's technology allows installers to mount solar panels without rails on many roof types.
Zep Solar was founded in 2009 by photovoltaic systems engineer Jack West, Christina Manansala, with whom West co-founded High Sun Engineering in 2000, and contractor Daniel Flanigan.[2] The trio invented a system that allowed solar panels to be installed without using rails, the long aluminum beams that had typically run underneath rooftop-mounted arrays to support the panels. Rails add material and manufacturing costs and their bulk and weight add additional inefficiencies and expenses.[3]
Instead, Zep Solar would use the inherent strength of the solar panels along with a special frame with a built-in channel called a "Zep Groove."[4] Zep Solar system components would snap into the Zep Groove and would allow panels to be interlocked with neighboring panels using specialized couplings. The result was a fully grounded, rigid structural grid at a lower cost than using rails.[2][5]
While Zep Solar was the manufacturer of most system components, they relied on photovoltaic manufacturers to build the Zep Groove into solar panels. The company signed licensing agreements with several manufacturers including Canadian Solar, JA Solar, Sharp Solar, Trina Solar and Yingli Solar.[4][6] Zep Solar also sold its system components through a network of distributors.[2]
By 2012, the Zep Solar installation system was being used by SolarCity and Vivint Solar, the two largest solar installers in the United States. At the time SolarCity said that using the Zep Solar hardware allowed them to reduce installation timelines from two or three days down to a single day.[2]
In October 2013, SolarCity announced that it would acquire Zep Solar for US$158 million.[7] Zep Solar would operate as an independent business unit of SolarCity and would continue to sell its equipment to other installers.
In November 2016, SolarCity was acquired by Tesla, Inc.,[8] at which time Zep Solar was merged into the company's Tesla Energy subsidiary. Since the merger, Tesla Energy has continued to manufacture many of the Zep Solar products for use on its projects but does not sell the equipment to other installers.[9]
